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New Bears Coach Not Destined to Stay in Chicago for Long

Even though RBs coach Eric Bieniemy just joined the Bears, don't be surprised if his Chicago tenure ends as quickly as it began.

By Devon Platana

Jan 5, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Jan 5, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images / Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
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The Chicago Bears continued to add to first-year head coach Ben Johnson's staff over the weekend when they hired Eric Bieniemy as their new running backs coach.

The former UCLA offensive coordinator was seen as one of college football's more promising coaches, and Bears fans are excited to see what he can do in the Windy City. Chicago's backfield was among the NFL's least productive units in 2024, averaging 102.0 rushing yards per game (25th) and only 4.0 yards per carry (T-27th).

As exciting as it is to have Bieniemy in Chicago, any success he sees in the upcoming season could come at a price.

Fixing Bears Offense Could Land RBs Coach Eric Niemiemy an OC Job in 2026

Biemiemy enters a Bears RB situation that's less than ideal, to say the least. In fact, Chicago boasted the NFL's eighth-worst backfield, according to Pro Football Focus. Fortunately, the team's new RB coach has enough experience to the point where a turnaround isn't just a pipedream.

Biemiemy made his NFL coaching debut as an RBs coach for the Minnesota Vikings back in 2006. The New Orleans, LA native had the pleasure of working with all-time great runner Adrian Peterson beginning in the following season, launching a partnership that resulted in the latter racking up nearly 7,000 scrimmage yards and 54 touchdowns on 1,317 touches across four seasons.

His time with the Vikings ended in 2013 when Biemiemy joined the Kansas City Chiefs as their new RBs coach. He played a big role in Kareem Hunt pacing the NFL with 1,327 rushing yards in 2017, solidifying himself as one of the top backfield specialists in the country.

The Chiefs eventually promoted him to OC (2018-22) before he went on to hold the same role with the Washington Commanders (2023) and UCLA (2024).

Biemiemy clearly knows how to turn an RB room around, and replicating that success could put him on track for an offensive coordinator job in 2026. As previously mentioned, the Bears fielded one of the league's worst offenses last year, and turning things around in one season would make the 55-year-old coach look like a miracle worker to potential suitors.

In the meantime, Bears fans should enjoy Biemiemy's ride as long as it lasts. If the two-time Super Bowl-winning coach — along with the rest of Johnson's staff — can successfully turn Chicago's offense into a threat, fans around town won't forget his contributions — even if he only sticks around for one year.

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